Mace and Arup have been brought in to help shape the early engineering and delivery strategy for the UK’s first small modular reactor project at Wylfa in North Wales.
Great British Energy–Nuclear has appointed Arup to lead early phase foundation engineering, while Mace will bring programme management expertise for the Anglesey scheme.
They will work alongside Gleeds, LDA Design and TÜV SÜD Nuclear Technologies to develop the site’s first integrated design.
The team will support feasibility work and the preparation of a site-specific concept design as the government pushes ahead with plans to build a fleet of small modular reactors across the UK.
Wylfa has been earmarked as the first location for the technology and is expected to deliver up to 1.5GW of power once operational, with the project forming a key part of the UK’s drive to strengthen energy security and expand low-carbon generation.
Key roles
Early concept design
- Mace Consult will bring its programme management expertise to help integrate design, delivery and infrastructure planning across the scheme as the early project strategy is developed.
- Engineering consultant Arup will lead the geotechnical and foundation engineering work required to prepare the site and inform the early design stages.
- Cost consultant Gleeds has been tasked with providing cost engineering advice during the initial planning stages to support development of the scheme’s infrastructure and site preparation strategy.
- Landscape and planning specialist LDA Design will lead masterplanning and environmental integration for the project, drawing on experience from major infrastructure schemes including the Sizewell C nuclear development.
- Meanwhile TÜV SÜD Nuclear Technologies will provide nuclear safety and regulatory expertise to ensure safety and licensing considerations are embedded in the early design process.
The early engineering package is designed to help Great British Energy–Nuclear refine the site layout and prepare the project for its next development stages alongside preferred technology partner Rolls-Royce SMR.
The Wylfa scheme is expected to create up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction and could become the first of a wider programme of SMR projects across the UK.
Jeremy Stain, nuclear business leader at Arup, said the project marked a major step in the UK’s plans to deploy a new generation of nuclear power.
Simon Roddy, chief executive at Great British Energy–Nuclear, said the early design phase would rely on “strong collaboration, innovation and precise technical decision making” across the project team.
Development timeline
2024 – Wylfa selected as preferred site for first UK SMR
2025 – Rolls-Royce SMR named preferred technology partner
2026 – Arup-led engineering team appointed to develop site concept design
Late 2020s (expected) – target start of construction for first reactor unit
